Statin Therapy: Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes

Kaiser Permanente Health Matters Statin Therapy: Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes

While taking a statin by itself is not • Do not take a statin if you are enough to prevent heart attacks and pregnant or may become pregnant strokes, it is an important part of your in the near future. medical treatment. It is common to • Avoid taking a statin if you have take other medications in addition to a severe liver or kidney damage. statin to help protect against a heart Your doctor or other health care profes- attack or stroke. Ask your health care sional (such as a Care Manager) may team about other medications that may want you to stop taking your statin help you. about one week before you have surgery or dental work performed. Ask f you are at risk for developing What problems could I have your doctor or dentist when it is safe heart disease—or even if you taking a statin? for you to start back on your statin I Most people who take this medication have already had a heart therapy. attack—taking a statin every have few or no side effects. Some day can help keep you healthy. people experience mild upset stomach, Can taking a statin increase my gas, constipation, abdominal pain, or People who take statins daily chances of liver irritation? are much less likely of having a cramps. heart attack or dying from a Severe muscle pain (or rhabdomyolysis) Most people who take statins do not heart attack or stroke. is a rare side effect that happens in very develop liver problems. Blood tests are few people who use statins. If you done periodically to monitor your liver How do statins help with experience severe muscle pain, severe function. heart disease? weakness, or brown urine, contact your Most people think statins are health care professional immediately. just for lowering cholesterol, “Statins” are a group of cholesterol but they are also a very helpful To reduce the risk of having lowering medications that include: medicine for your heart and problems taking a statin: • Lovastatin (Mevacor) blood vessels. • Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking • Simvastatin (Zocor) Statins work to lower your grapefruit juice. LDL (bad) cholesterol, which • If you choose to drink alcohol, do so builds up in your artery walls, in moderation (2 drinks per day for a making them narrow. They also man, and 1 for a woman). increase your HDL (good) One drink = 12oz of beer, 4oz of cholesterol, reduce your triglyc- wine or 1.5oz shot of hard liquor, erides and may help to prevent such as brandy, gin, or vodka. blood clots and inflammation inside your arteries.

Regional Health Education

How do medications (in general) • Are there activities that I should What else could I do to manage fit into my treatment plan? avoid while taking any medication? my medication? • What kind of side effects could I Although medications are an impor- • Keep a personal medication record have and what symptoms should tant part of your treatment plan, card (wallet card) with you and they do not take the place of healthy I look for? • Is there a way to avoid any side effects? keep it up-to-date. Include any eating, regular physical activity, and drug or food allergies that you may stress management. If you are pre- have and any non-prescription scribed medications by your doctor, What should I do if I have side effects? medications, herbs, or supplements it’s important for you to take them as that you are taking. directed. Don’t stop taking them Be sure to tell your doctor if there are reasons why you cannot take any • Review your medication record without consulting with your doctor card regularly with your doctor or first. If you are experiencing side medication that’s prescribed. Also, tell your doctor if you seem to have other health care professional, effects, your doctor may be able to including your dentist. change the medication or the dosage trouble remembering to take your medication. • When you purchase any new to prevent side effects. It’s likely that medications, including over-the- you may need to take this medica- counter medications, ask the tion for the rest of your life, so work How can I remember to take my medications? pharmacist to check for any interac- with your doctor to ensure that you tions with your current medications. are taking the right medicine and Everyone has struggled with remem- bering to do things that they don’t • Refill your medications at least one dose for you. If you feel that you can- to two week(s) before you run out. not afford your medication, financial regularly do. There are a number of things that can help you remember. • If a doctor or other health care assistance may be available. To learn professional recommends it, carry more, talk to the pharmacist or call • Make a simple chart and post it in some kind of medical identifica- your doctor. an obvious place where you will see tion like a Medic Alert bracelet. What do I need to know about it every day, like on the mirror in For more information, call my medications? the bathroom. 1-888-633-4298, or go to • Set an alarm clock or watch for a Before you leave the clinic, take the MedicAlert.org. reminder. time to ask your doctor or member • Establish a daily routine for taking of your health care team about your your medications every day, such medications: as at bedtime, mealtime, or while • Why am I taking them? at the beginning of a daily TV • How often and how long should I show, such as the evening news. take them? • Use a pillbox. • Are there any special instructions • Record your medications on a for taking a particular medication? wallet card or calendar. • Should I only take any medication • Can you think of others? ______only at mealtime?

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have further questions, please consult your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist.

© 2004, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Regional Health Education. Adapted with permission from copyrighted material of The Permanente Medical Group, Inc., Northern California. (Revised 10-04) RL 8.4